(BIVN) – As the Emergency Water Restriction continues in Kona, the County of Hawai‘i is making free mulch loading available in Kealakehe in hopes of encouraging the public to mulch their plants to save water.

The county’s Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has temporarily suspended mulch loading fees at the Kealakehe Transfer Station, and has directed its contractor, Hawaiian Earth Recycling, to provide free mulch loading services through October 31, 2017.

“Mulching boosts water retention in the soil while conserving water,” a county media release stated. “Mulch provides moisture while nurturing plants and trees, and it delivers natural nutrients that dramatically improve soil productivity.”

Under the ongoing water restroction, which is the result of five wells being offline, all residents in North Kona must continue to restrict water use to health and safety needs: drinking, cooking, and hygiene purposes. County officials say due to the community’s efforts to restrict water use, water levels in the tanks have remained stable. Therefore, limited hand watering of precious plants is being allowed. All other irrigation is prohibited.

The free mulch is available on a first-come, first-served basis, the county says. Mulch loading hours at the facility’s Mulch Public Pick-up Area are from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Hawaiian Earth Recycling will load mulch into your truck and or trailer at no cost to you. You may also self-load your vehicle if you only want a small load of mulch.